A reward of R10 000 is still being offered to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest and successful conviction of those responsible for the current spate of water-meter thefts in Louis Trichardt, the likes of which have never been seen before.

Over the last two or three months, an estimated 1 000 meters have been stolen outside homes and businesses in Louis Trichardt, sometimes three or four a night. The lure is that these meters are brass meters that fetch a pretty penny on the scrap-metal market.

On 2 November, a resident did manage to capture three of the thieves on his home-security camera. On the video, one can clearly see three men working together. The men are seen walking on both sides of the street, presumably scouting for water meters. A third man follows behind, carrying a big bag. The bag is obviously used to hide the stolen water meter quickly after it has been broken off. In the video, the man can also be scene darting into some garden bushes, where he breaks off another water meter within seconds.

The accompanying photos are screenshots taken from the video of the suspects. The one man has a distinctive white stripe through his hair.

People who have information about the three men or other possible suspects can phone Lt-Col Ronald Tinyani at the Makhado SAPS  at Tel 076 813 0378. Alternatively, members of the public can also phone Renier Fourie (chairman of the Vhembe Rural Safety Committee/ VRSC) at Tel 083 281 0378 or the vice-chairman of the VRSC, Mr Wouter Meintjes, at Tel 083 228 9359.